Expandable, stowable vehicle seat for children

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat section and a back section, preferably pivotably arranged in relation to each other, whereby the seat is inwardly and outwardly foldable and in its outwardly folded position the two sections can be arranged in substantially perpendicular positions for use as a seat, or with the two sections in substantially parallel positions for use as an armrest, whereby said seat section is provided with widening means so that the width of the seat section can be adjusted.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a stowable vehicle seat which isretractably arranged in a base section, whereby said base sectionpreferably constitutes the backrest of a vehicle seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle seats of the type which are stowable and retractably arranged ina base section are previously known. A vehicle seat is previously knownfrom, for example, GB-A-2 167 949 (preamble of claim 1) which comprisesa seat section and a back section, preferably pivotably arranged inrelation to each other, whereby the seat is inwardly and outwardlyfoldable and in its outwardly foldable position it can be arranged withthe two sections in substantially perpendicular positions for use as aseat, or with the two parts in substantially parallel position for useas an armrest (see also EP-A-258 194).

The above-mentioned document accordingly shows a child cushion (vehicleseat) whose positioning and construction is such that in its outwardlyfolded position it may also be used as an armrest. A centrally placedinwardly foldable armrest in a vehicle is common. From theabove-mentioned documents it is accordingly also known to construct anarmrest in such a way that it can be divided and used as a childcushion.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The disadvantage with this known combination of vehicle seat and armrestis that the arrangement is relatively cumbersome. The reason for this isthat the seat section of a vehicle seat requires a certain width, andwhich width considerably exceeds the width which is necessary for anarmrest. In other words, the known arrangement offers an armrest whichconsiderably exceeds the optimal width for an armrest.

Furthermore, the known arrangement also presents disadvantages in itsinwardly folded position since its relatively wide width implies thatthe separation surfaces which delimit the inwardly foldable seat/armrestwill intrude on the back-rest section of the seats adjacent this seatsuch that the comfort of these seats is prejudicially affected.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention discloses a vehicle seat assemblycomprising a first seat, which may be the permanent rear seat in avehicle. The first seat includes a fixed base portion defining a basesurface, also known as a squab, extending generally along a horizontalplane. The first seat also includes a back portion, which is oftenretained in a fixed position, and which defines a surface extendingsubstantially perpendicular to the base surface. The back portionincludes a recess therein, such as the recess often used to store thearmrest of a vehicle when it is not in use. The vehicle seat assemblyalso comprises a second seat which includes a stowable base portion anda stowable back portion. The second seat is preferably pivotablyconnected to the first seat and is movable between a stowed position inwhich both the stowable base portion and the stowable back portionextend substantially parallel to each other and substantiallyperpendicular to the base surface and are at least substantiallyarranged within the recess in the back portion of the first seat, and ause position in which at least the stowable base portion is arrangedsubstantially outside of the recess and extends generally parallel tothe base surface of the first seat. The stowable base portion includeswidening means for selectively adjusting at least a portion of theinitial width thereof so that an adjusted width can be obtained. Theadjusted width is greater than the initial width so that children ofvarious sizes can comfortably sit on the second seat when it is arrangedin its use position.

Preferably, the vehicle seat assembly comprises means for maintainingthe stowable base portion at a certain predetermined height above thebase surface of the fixed base portion when the second seat is arrangedin its use position.

It is also preferable for the vehicle seat assembly to comprise safetybelt means adapted to secure an occupant on the second seat. The safetybelt means may comprise a three point inertia-reel type safety beltwhich may be secured to the back portion of the first seat.

In a preferred embodiment, the stowable base portion may comprise aresilient compressible material and an elastic cover arranged over theresilient compressible material. In another preferred embodiment, thestowable base portion may comprise a substantially non-compressiblematerial and a non-elastic cover arranged thereon. In such anembodiment, the non-compressible material may comprise a form-stablepolymer which has a low density.

In another preferred embodiment, the widening means may comprise aplurality of cooperating frame members wherein at least two of theplurality of cooperating frame members are inner members and at leastone of the plurality of cooperating frame members is an outer member. Inthis embodiment, the inner members may be arranged within the outermember and may be disposed for slidable movement therein so that thewidth of the stowable base portion can be selectively adjusted.

In still another preferred embodiment, the stowable base portion maycomprise a first block and a second block. In this embodiment, theplurality of cooperating frame members are connected to the first andsecond blocks. The widening means may also comprise locking meansarranged between the inner and outer frame members for selectivelylocking the first and second blocks in desired adjusted positionswhereby the first and second blocks are adapted to be spaced from eachother when the stowable base portion is adjusted into its widestposition.

The widening means may comprise at least one pivot joint and may have atleast two sections pivotably connected to each other at the at least onepivot joint. The at least one pivot joint may be arranged at a first endof the stowable base portion adjacent the recess when the stowable baseportion is arranged in its use position. A second end of the stowablebase portion may be arranged to oppose the first end and may be remotetherefrom. In this embodiment, the widening means may be adapted toincrease the width of the second end of the stowable base portion morethan the width of the first end thereof.

In another preferred embodiment, the stowable base portion includes amain section and at least one pivotable section. The at least onepivotable section is pivotally connected to the main section at a pivotjoint which may comprise a hinge-like device. In operation, the at leastone pivotable section is movable from a folded position at which thestowable base portion may retain its initial width, to an extendedposition at which the stowable base portion achieves an adjusted widthwhich is greater than the initial width thereof. In this embodiment, theat least one pivotable section preferably comprises a pair of pivotablesections and the main section is arranged between the pair of pivotablesections and is hingedly connected thereto by the at least onehinge-like device.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the widening means comprises afirst plate-like member and a second plate-like member slidablyinterconnected to each other. Optionally, the first and secondplate-like members include a plurality of aligned elongated slots. Inthis embodiment, the widening means preferably includes at least onetransverse guide pin arranged to extend through at least one pair of thealigned elongated slots to guide selective widening of the stowable baseportion. The first and second plate-like members may be slidablyarranged on a fixed member whereby adjustment of the plate-like membersmay increase the overall width of the stowable base portion beyond thatof the width of the fixed member.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stowable andoutwardly- and inwardly foldable vehicle seat which eliminates theabove-mentioned disadvantages though which still maintains theseadvantages, namely the combination of a vehicle seat and an armrest inone.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a childcushion/vehicle seat which in a rational manner offers maximum securityand whose production and assembly can be achieved in a rational andthereby cost effective manner.

Said objects are achieved by means of an inwardly foldable vehicle seatin accordance with the invention which is characterized in that the seatsection is arranged with expandable means so that the extension of theseat section in the direction of its width can be changed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to theembodiments shown in the attached drawings in which

FIGS. 1a-1d shows perspective views of a vehicle rear seat with anstowable vehicle seat in various positions according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment for wideningof the seat section according to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a seat section in its widened positionaccording to the principle illustrated in FIG. 2,

FIGS. 4a-4b are side views of the preferred embodiment of the vehicleseat according to the invention,

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment for achieving widening according to theinvention,

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment for achieving widening according to theinvention,

FIGS. 7a-7d shows perspective views of the stowable vehicle seat of FIG.6 in various positions with respect to a rear seat of a vehicle, and

FIG. 8 shows the most preferred embodiment relating to the widening ofthe seat section according to the invention.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The seat shown in FIG. 1 is a rear seat of conventional type with asquab 1, a back-rest 2 and an armrest generally denoted by 3 which in aknown manner is supported for pivotal movement between a folded upposition (FIG. 1a) in which it occupies a recess in the back-rest 2, anda folded down position (FIG. 1b) in which it can be used as an armrest.

In its folded up position (FIG. 1a) the armrest's underside 30 is planerwith the seats back-rest 2. In its folded down position (FIG. 1b) thearmrest's underside 30 rests against the squab's 1 upper surface. Fromthe folded down position (FIG. 1b) it can be further seen that thearmrest consists of a lower part 3 and an upper part 4.

A position is shown in FIG. 1c in which the armrest's lower part 3 iswidened with the help of parts in the seat section 3 which aredisplaceable sideways. In order to form a vehicle seat, the upper part 4must now be swung upwardly so that this upper part 4 forms a back-restfor the vehicle seat in accordance with that which is shown in FIG. 1d.By adapting the thickness (height) of the seat section 3, a centrallymounted seatbelt 5 can be tensioned in a secure manner around a childsitting on the vehicle seat since the diagonally extending part of theseatbelt can in this manner be adapted to pass over the optimal positionof the child's body despite the fact that the seatbelt is primarilyintended to be worn by an adult (sitting on the squab).

The principle for the preferred manner in which the widening of the seatsection 3 can be arranged is shown in FIG. 2. The figure shows that twoside members 31a and 31b are transversally displaceably arranged inrelation to a central member 32 within the seat section 3. These membersare in the form of square section tubes which are displaceably arrangedwith respect to each other. The widening of the seat section 3 ispossible due to the seat section having an elastic cover 7 and anelastic stuffing 8. The frame members 31, 32 are suitably held inrelation to each other in the widen position with help of spring-biasedball bearings (not shown) which snap into corresponding holes in amanner known per se.

A plan view of a seat section 3 is shown in FIG. 3 with in principle thesame widening system which is shown in FIG. 2, i.e. outer frame members31 which are transversally displaceably arranged around transversallypositioned mid sections 32. For attachment of the seat section atube-like element 35 extending in the direction of the seat is providedon the innermost of said mid sections 32.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the stuffing 8 preferably consists ofa substantially non-compressible material such as a form-stable polymerof low density. In addition, the material 8 is divided into two blockswhich, in the widened position, create an opening 36 therebetween. Thecover 7 is preferably substantially non-elastic in this embodiment andforms preshaped pleats when the seat section 3 is return to itsnon-widened position. However, it should be appreciated, that thestuffing material 8 and the cover 7 may also be elastic as they are inthe embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4a shows a side view of a preferred vehicle seat according to theinvention in its extended position, i.e. in its position of use. In thisposition the vehicle seat's seat section 3 is substantially parallellyarranged in relation to the squab 1 of the vehicle seat and theback-rest 4 is locked (not shown locking mechanism) in an uprightposition so that its rear surface 40 abuts the upper region of the rearseat's back-rest 2. The two seat sections 3, 4 are connected to eachother by means of two brackets 6, one on each side, which are fixed tothe seat section 3. The back-rest 4 is pivotably arranged on thebrackets 6 with the aid of a pivot pin 42. The entire vehicle seat 3, 4is supported in frame sections to the rear seat 2 with the aid of asecond pivot pin 32 whose centerline passes through the seat section 3.The widening arrangement 31, 32 for the seat section 3 depicted inprinciple in FIGS. 2 and 3 is outlined by means of dashed lines withinthe seat section 3.

The vehicle seat is intended to be used together with a three pointinertia-reel seatbelt 5 affixed to the rear seat 2. Thanks to therelatively high location of the seat 3, in its fastened state theseatbelt extends in an optimal manner over the body of a child and,similarly, the seatbelt extends optimally over the body of an adultperson when sitting on the squab 1. With the intention to optimizesafety, a back/neck support 9 is provided along an extension of the backsection 40 and is extendable with the help of a displaceable rod 91 bywhich the rest 9 is positioned on the back section. By means of thisdisplaceable support 9, people (chiefly children) of various height(within limits, up to approximately ten years) are offered maximumsupport in the event of an accident. A further safety-improving factoris that the seat is dished so that submarining is avoided in acollision. As can be seen from the drawing, the seat 3 is locked in itsfolded-down raised position without making contact with the squab 1,i.e. with the aid of a position determining mechanism in the vicinity ofthe support point 44.

If the seat is to be converted to an armrest, the back section 4 issimply folded down by swinging it about the pivot point 42 once the lockhas been released. Accordingly, in this application, the maximumwidening of the seat is not necessary or desirable and so it 3 can bepushed in in order to be as narrow as possible. From this narrowestposition it is then possible to swing the entire arrangement to theposition which is shown in FIG. 1b.

A further widening possibility is shown in FIG. 5 which consists of twooutwardly- and inwardly pivotable frame sections 31 which are pivotablyarranged about a pivot point 38. In order to guide the forward edge, atube piece 32 of suitable curvature is provided which passes within saidframe sections 31.

A second principle for achieving widening of the seat section 3 is shownin FIG. 6. On each side of a mid section 66 of the seat 3 is arranged aseat section 65a, 65b respectively, pivotable by means of hinge-likedevices 67a, 67b. When the pivotable sections (see 65a) of the seats arein their folded out position, their upper delimiting surface formswidening side surfaces adjacent the middle seat section 36 and thedownwardly extending region can hereby be arranged to abut the squab 1.In the folded up position (see 65b), the seat is delimited in itstransverse direction by said hinge-like devices 67b and the supportregions of the pivotable part 65b are inwardly directed and therebyplaced in the vicinity of remaining parts of the seat 66.

FIG. 7a shows the seat section 3 in its non-use (i.e., folded up)position within a recess in the rear seat of a vehicle. In contrast toFIG. 7a, FIGS. 7b-7d shows that the pivotable seat sections 65 areplaced on top of the base section 66 in the folded up position. Thus,FIG. 7a shows the folded up position, FIG. 7b shows the position when itcan be used as an arm rest, FIG. 7c shows the position where the backrest is swung upwards and FIG. 7d shows the position of use for the seatwithout outwardly-folded side pieces 65. The back section 4 is pivotablyarranged 42 about a plate or similar (not shown) which is affixed to thebase section 66 which, in turn, is pivotably supported 34 to the rearseat 2. By means of a gentle transition 43, the armrests upper surfacechanges from a region 40 with a substantially flat and hard surface(which in the folded down position can for example be used as aplacement surface and in the raised position rests against the rearseats back section 2) to a region 44 with a soft surface.

FIG. 8 shows a seat section 3 comprising a non-widenable base section 70above which widening means 71, 72 in the form of plate-like elements areslidably arranged. To allow for parallel displacement of the elements71, 72, each plate is provided with at least two slots 78 whichcooperate with at least two peg-like members 76 which are anchored insaid base section 70. Each element 71, 72 is outwardly delimited in thesideways direction by a hollow region 74 which serves both as a gripindent (for manual widening) and a seatbelt guide 73. The seat cushion7, 8 of fabric-covered foam rubber is fixed in the vicinity of each sideregion 74 so that widening and collapsing can take place without theseat cushion obstructing this movement, suitably with the help oflongitudinal seams (not shown) which ensure that the cushion 7, 8 ispleated in an aesthetic manner. In order to receive confirmation thatthe maximum widening has been achieved, together with its maintenance,each plate-like element 71, 72 is provided with an upwardly-directeddepression 79 which cooperates with a spring-biased ball bearing (notshown) or similar arranged in the base section 70. A lock 75 preventsunwanted folding down of the back section 4.

The invention is not restricted to that described above but can bevaried within the scope of the appended claims. It is for examplepossible that the guide means 76, 78 described above comprise guide pinswhich are arranged in transversally (in relation to the seatslongitudinal direction) extending slots, whereby each element 71, 72suitably has at least two guide pins affixed thereto and these guidepins are displaceably arranged in at least two slots in said basesection.

Furthermore, the invention is not restricted to the use of a backsection 4 in accordance with that mentioned above, but it can forexample be in the form of a separate part which can be lifted from theseat section to be located in the recess. In an extreme case in whichthe armrest (collapsed) is very narrow it is possible not to use a backsection at all, though this is not preferred from a safety point ofview. Finally, it is possible to arrange the back section 4 on aseparate displacement mechanism (for example with four degrees offreedom) which can be suitably arranged to swing outwards when the seatsection 3 is widened. The widening of the seat section occurs in thepreferred case in a manual manner. It is, however, clear for the skilledman that the widening can also occur with assistance, such as withsolenoids, electric motors, pressure cylinders etc. Such accessories cansuitably be activated by means of a push-button or similar which iseither arranged within the seat section 3 and so not accessible in theseat's 3 upwardly folded position or remote from the seat 3 andtherefore including means which prevent widening of the seat if the seatis not in its folded down position.

We claim:
 1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:a first seat including a fixed base portion defining a base surface extending generally along a horizontal plane, and a back portion defining a surface extending substantially perpendicular to said base surface, said back portion having a recess therein; a second seat including a stowable base portion and a stowable back portion, said second seat being pivotally connected to said first seat along a pivot axis and being movable between a stowed position in which both said stowable base portion and said stowable back portion extend substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to said base surface and are at least substantially arranged within said recess, and a use position in which at least said stowable base portion is arranged substantially outside of said recess extending generally parallel to said base surface, said stowable base portion having side edges and an initial width measured between said side edges wherein each of said side edges define a longitudinal axis which intersects said pivot axis and including widening means for selectively adjusting said initial width so that an adjusted width is created, said adjusted width being greater than said initial width whereby children of various sizes can comfortably sit on said second seat when it is arranged in said use position.
 2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said first seat comprises a rear seat.
 3. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining said stowable base portion at a certain predetermined height above said base surface of said fixed base portion when said second seat is arranged in said use position.
 4. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 further comprising safety belt means adapted to secure an occupant on said second seat.
 5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 4 wherein said safety belt means comprises a three point inertia-reel type safety belt secured to said back portion of said first seat.
 6. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said stowable base portion comprises resilient compressible material and an elastic cover arranged over said resilient compressible material.
 7. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said stowable base portion comprises a substantially non-compressible material and a cover arranged thereon.
 8. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 7 wherein said substantially non-compressible material comprises a form-stable polymer having a low density.
 9. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said widening means comprises a plurality of cooperating frame members, at least two of said plurality of cooperating frame members being inner members and at least one of said plurality of cooperating frame members being an outer member, said inner members being arranged within said outer member and being disposed for slidable movement therein whereby said width of said stowable base portion can be selectively adjusted.
 10. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said stowable base portion comprises a first block and a second block, said plurality of cooperating frame members being connected to said first and second blocks, said widening means further comprising locking means arranged between said inner and outer frame members for selectively locking said first and second blocks in desired adjusted positions whereby said first and second blocks are adapted to be spaced from each other when said stowable base portion is adjusted into its widest position.
 11. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said widening means comprises at least one pivot joint and at least two sections pivotably connected to each other at said at least one pivot joint.
 12. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 11 wherein said stowable base portion has a first end adjacent said recess when it is arranged in said use position, and a second end opposing said first end and remote therefrom, said at least one pivot joint being arranged at said first end, said widening means being adapted to increase the width of said second end to a size greater than the width of said first end.
 13. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 11 wherein said stowable base portion has a main section and at least one pivotable section, said at least one pivotable section being pivotably connected to said main section at said at least one pivot joint and being movable from a folded position at which said stowable base portion retains its initial width to an extended position at which said stowable base portion achieves said adjusted width which is greater than said initial width.
 14. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 13 wherein said at least one pivotable section comprises a pair of pivotable sections, said main section being arranged between said pair of pivotable sections and being hingedly connected thereto at said at least one pivot joint, said at least one pivot joint including said at least one hinge-like device.
 15. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said widening means comprises a first plate-like member and a second plate-like member slidably interconnected to said first plate-like member for permitting selective adjustment of said first and second plate-like members.
 16. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 15 wherein said first and second plate-like members comprise a plurality of aligned elongated slots, said widening means further comprising at least one transverse guide pin arranged to extend through at least one pair of said aligned elongated slots to guide selected widening of said stowable base portions.
 17. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 16 wherein said stowable base portion further comprises a fixed member, said first and second plate-like members being arranged on said fixed member whereby slideable adjustment thereof can modify the overall width achieved by the combination of said first and second plate-like members to a width greater than the width of said fixed member.
 18. A stowable vehicle seat comprising a stowable base portion and a stowable back portion pivotally connected to said stowable base portion, said stowable seat being movable between a stowed position in which both said stowable base portion and said stowable back portion extend substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to a base surface of a rear seat in a vehicle, and a use position in which said stowable base portion extends substantially parallel to the base surface of the rear seat, said stowable base portion having an initial width and including widening means for selectively adjusting at least a portion of said initial width so that an adjusted width is created, said adjusted width being greater than said initial width, said stowable vehicle seat further comprising means for maintaining said stowable base portion at a certain predetermined height above and spaced from the base surface defined by the rear seat in the vehicle when said stowable seat is arranged in said use position.
 19. The stowable vehicle seat of claim 18 further comprising safety belt means adapted to secure an occupant therein.
 20. The stowable vehicle seat of claim 19 wherein said safety belt means comprises a three point inertia-reel type safety belt. 